Authors: Erin Bluett
Chapter 4
From the driveway, they watched smoke seep out the living room window. Lucas had hoped that she would break down and let her anger and fear out, but instead she watched the smoke like it was her job. Her face held no animations. No pain, no fear, no worry. It wasn’t like her to bury emotions far beneath the surface. He didn’t like it. Nevertheless, there was no time to do anything about. They had to go.
Now
.
Someone would see the smoke, the flames. Soon this area would be swarming with humans. Or worse . . .
He turned and reached for the door handle of the Camaro.
“We should get going. Someone is sure to see this and report it.” He didn’t want to startle her but couldn’t help scanning the tree line behind the house. She took a few more seconds to watch the billowing smoke before she turned toward the car.
Her sapphire party dress moved from side-to-side as she rotated. The once beautiful material was now torn and soiled from the night’s events.
Pressure weighed on his chest. Guilt?
He should have insisted she swap her clothes for more practical ones before they started their journey. Yet, he’d packed some of her clothes. There would be time for her to change later, when they’d put this place in their rearview mirror
She walked past him then addressed him over her shoulder. “Just because I need your help
does not mean
I want it.”
“I don’t
need
to help you, but I want to,” he said, holding open her door and motioning for her to get into the car.
“God knows why.” She plopped onto the passenger seat, crossed her arms, and faced forward.
“Someday soon I will tell you why, and maybe you will change your opinion.”
She twisted to look at him. “Don’t bet on it.”
He shut her door. He might just do that.
After making a quick stop at the inn to collect his things and ditch their phones, they headed north. She’d protested when he demanded her cell but he wasn’t going to risk being traced. The demons may very well be high tech in this day and age. As far as he was concerned, they were off the grid. “All Maeve said was to head north. That means we will have to stop and inquire about this Belinda Turner in every village and town.” What would it take to distract her from the all-too-interesting window?
Without turning, she said, “What if we can’t find Belinda?” Her tone cut him. The fear she refused to show on her face was evident in her voice. The only thing he could give her was hope.
“We will find her. Never doubt that.”
A couple hours later, after stopping in several villages to inquire about Belinda, an ache began to settle in his gut. No one seemed to recognize the name. Hell, she had to be in the area.
The sun was high in the sky and neither of them had eaten all day. As they drove into another small village, he found an empty space on the side of the road and stopped the car. It was time to refuel, fill their empty bellies, and call his brother. At the very least he wanted to keep Aiden updated on current events.
Ava protested and refused to get out the car, demanding they keep moving. But he silenced her with the idea that they could inquire about Belinda. He got out, heard Ava’s door slam, then grabbed her bag from the trunk.
He walked up the steps to the best-smelling building on the street. A blue clapboard structure with a wooden sign that read in large black letters: GILLS. Fishing nets and an anchor draped the wall next to the screen entrance. He held the door for Ava. She crossed her arms over her chest, then paused.
He waved his hand toward the door. “Ladies first.”
Her eyes threw daggers at him before she stalked past. He sighed as he followed her to a table. Few people filled the small fisherman’s café, which smelled of fresh fish and bread. The plain brown walls looked in need of a new coat of paint but the overhead lighting brought warmth to the room.
He noticed Ava had picked up a vinyl menu. Smiling, he did the same, then took note of the selection. “So, what are you getting?” She couldn’t keep up this minimalist conversation forever, could she?
“I don’t know. I’m not really hungry.” She closed her menu and rested her hands in her lap. “Can I have my bag now?”
He glanced at her over the menu. “Come on, there has to be something that you like.”
She shook her head, not meeting his gaze. “Why are we even here? Can’t you just hunt for our food, being part beast and all?”
He couldn’t keep the amusement from his voice. “I admit to enjoying raw meat. I didn’t realize you did as well.”
She turned to glare at him.
“You have quite the sharp tongue, don’t you?”
“I’m sorry if my behavior has not met your expectations. It’s not everyday that you learn your ex can turn into a beast,” she said as she picked up her menu once more.
“I am not your ex.”
At his words, she slammed her menu down on the table. “What are you, then? My pet?”
“Nothing has changed between us. You just happen to be a little sore with me at the moment.” Damn it all to hell, she looked beautiful when she was mad. Her eyes shone like sapphires.
“A ‘little sore’ with you? I don’t know what you are accustomed to, but I am more than a little ‘sore’ at you.” Her mouth snapped shut when the waitress arrived at their table.
“What can I get you guys?” The waitress’ dark hair fell over her shoulder as she drew a pad and pen from her apron pocket.
Ava handed her the menu.
Without taking his eyes off of Ava, he replied, “We will both have the roast beef sandwich with fries and two iced teas please.”
Ava gave him with a startled look.
After the waitress left with their order, he answered her unspoken question. “I remembered roast beef was your favorite meal.”
“Whatever, can I have my clothes now?”
He handed her the bag and watched her disappear toward a restroom sign. His eyes traveled from the restroom sign to the black phone beside it. He shouldn’t wait any longer to call Aiden. He strode to the pay phone, inserted a quarter, then dialed his number.
Straight to voicemail.
Perfect
. He left a brief message summing up the recent events and a promise to call him soon.
A few minutes later, Ava reappeared in jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt. She wouldn’t meet his eyes as she let the bag fall to her feet. Her golden-blond locks still held luster as they waved around her shoulders and face, yet she looked pale.
She glanced at him as their food arrived at the table. He wanted to say something to lift her spirits but words eluded him.
They ate in silence for several minutes, but then her voice broke through the drone of the overhead fan.
“So, if I had questions about you and this situation, could I expect a straight answer, or are there things you still won’t tell me?” She seemed to want to gauge his reaction.
He straightened in his chair, leveling his gaze on hers. “Ava, I have never, nor will I ever, lie to you. Ask what you wish, I will tell you as much as I know.”
She turned her attention back to her food, twirling a fry in the catsup on her plate.
He wasn’t going to pressure her. She could ask what she wanted to know when she was ready.
When they finished eating, they headed to the front counter to pay the bill. This would be a good time to see if anyone knew a Belinda Turner. “Excuse me, miss.”
He handed her a twenty for the meal. “Do you know a Belinda Turner?”
“Never heard of her, but I just moved here a few years back. You might want to ask that older man sitting on the front porch. His name is George Wilcox. He’s lived here his whole life. If anyone knows, it will be him.”
With a nod and thanks, they turned to see what Mr. Wilcox would have to say.
As they stepped out onto the porch of the café, Lucas spotted the older man sitting in a rocking chair. “Are you Mr. Wilcox?”
The man halted the rocking motion of the chair and squinted up at them, causing deep wrinkles to form around his eyes. “That depends on who’s asking.” He leaned back and started to rock once more.
Lucas smiled. He and George Wilcox were going to get along.
“I’m Lucas Grant and the lady standing beside me is Ava Worthington. We were wondering if we could ask you a few questions?”
Mr. Wilcox struggled to stand and Lucas moved to help him get his balance.
“Thanks, lad, my knees are not what they used to be.” He straightened. “Now what can I do for you, Lucas Grant?”
“We were wondering if you had ever heard of a woman named Belinda Turner.”
Mr. Wilcox lip twitch into a slight smile. “What would you want with her?”
“Ava’s mother, who is no longer with us, was friends with Belinda. Ava would love to meet her and share memories of her mother.” Lucas couldn’t believe their luck.
Mr. Wilcox nodded. “I understand. Let me see, I haven’t seen Belinda in years, but last I heard she lived up in Saratoga Springs.”
Lucas could feel Ava tense at his side. He reached out to comfort her and grabbed hold of her hand. It took her less than a second to shake him off.
“Thank you, Mr. Wilcox. We appreciate your help.” Lucas followed Ava off the porch.
The old man called to them as they reached the car, “Tell Belinda when you see her, George Wilcox says ‘Hi.’”
“Will do.” Lucas threw her bag back in the trunk then settled into the car. He lowered his visor as he said, “This is good. Saratoga is not that far from here.”
“But it doesn’t mean she will be there. The man said he hadn’t seen her in years.”
“Well, it’s a good start.” He revved the engine and turned on the radio on, hoping to cut the tension in the car. To his surprise, Ava reached over and shut the radio off.
“Are you immortal, too?”
Okay, talk about getting right to the point
. She must have learned that from Maeve. “Yes, I am.”
“How old are you?”
He sighed. “One hundred and three.” He glanced over, but her expression was unchanged.
“You look good for an old man.” She looked out the window once again, but he was sure he saw her lips curve up in a smile.
“I became immortal when I was twenty-eight. That would explain why I look good for an old man.” He tried not to be annoyed at the ‘old man’ comment. For a Lycan, he’d be considered young.
“What makes you think that I’m going to turn immortal soon?”
“I can sense it in you, just like I could sense you were a witch.” He saw her nod out of the corner of his eye.
“So, how does it work? Turning immortal, I mean?”
She
would
ask the questions he didn’t want to answer, but lying to her wasn’t an option. “It’s not pleasant, but it’s over within twenty-four hours, and after, you feel great. In any case, I will be there with you when it happens. I promise.”
“What makes you think I’d want you to be with me? I’m only with you right now because I have no other choice.”
He stiffened at her words as he jerked the car to the side of the road. If this is where the conversation was going, then they were going to hash it out.
“I can understand your fear of me . . . the fear you feel for your family, but maybe you haven’t noticed I’m trying to help you. I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand why you are angry with me.” He searched her face, but it didn’t give him any clues as to what she thought.
“Yes, I was scared of you last night but I’m not afraid anymore. I’m angry. Angry at you for not telling me . . . everything. I might have been able to protect my sisters from the demons, or been more prepared for you changing into a beast.” Her voice bordered on petulant and her eyes flared sapphire again.
His blood heated, a sign of the beast, wanting to be released. “Just when do you think was a good time to tell you I was a lycan and you were a witch? It may seem like we have known each other for a lot longer than a week, but the subject is not exactly first date conversation.” He sighed. “Then, of course, there was the issue of whether you would believe me.”
She dropped back against the seat. “It damn well should have been mentioned before you made me care for you.” She turned toward him, tears glistening in her eyes. “I trusted you.”
He softened at her words. “Ava, I am truly sorry I did not tell you sooner, but I believed that I was protecting you by waiting.” He searched her face, but couldn’t tell if she believed him. “You must realize you are important to me. I would never hurt you.” He caught a single tear on her fingertip as it made a path down her cheek. That glistening drop motivated him in a way the demon attacks never could. I would never hurt you. “I promise, we will get your sisters back.” She quieted, then leaned back and shoved the hair off her forehead.
As their gazes met, his body stiffened.
Her eyes searched his. “I’m going to need a little time to figure all this out.”
Lucas sat back and started the car once more before he turned to her. “I understand but just know that I’m not giving up on us . . . ever.”
“Will you shut up?” Traxen shouted at the witches. They were driving him mad with their incessant jabbering. The sewer they were in just enhanced the noise bouncing off the concrete.
The one they called Ella appeared to be incredibly feisty. Even when the demons hit her, she continued to goad in spite of the blood running from her lip. He’d admired her attitude, but he’d need to watch her. She was trouble.
He should never have blinked the witches to the hive in NYC so soon after their capture. It wasn’t until later, when Zatar wanted an accounting of events, that he realized his folly. He was short one witch. The torture he’d received for his foolishness was nothing he had not endured before. However, the pain did make him more motivated to remedy his mistake.